Bridge to somewhere, Lake Mead, Zion

Bridge over the Colorado River

Lake Mead showing drought results

Next stop: Lake Mead and Hoover Dam.   The pictures above tell a story that is a bit of a paradox.  The bridge being built will allow the ever increasing population of the southwest to travel between, say, Phoenix and Las Vegas without having to slow down to cross Hoover Dam.   The question we were asking ourselves was; what will be left of Lake Mead within ten years if the growth continues?   An expected thirteen foot drop in the water level this year added to the sixty foot decline over the previous ten years is a significant loss.  It is still a huge body of water but when compared to the growth in the area the term "drop in a bucket" sounds ominous.  

Boulder City, Nevada sits just above the dam and has maintained its charm with a healthy downtown versus glitzy casinos or even a Wal-Mart.  It is an historic and quaint place originally built to provide the construction workers and families with the necessities needed while building the dam.  

The biking was the best with long well maintained bike paths that overlooked the desert scape and looped  in and out of the arroyos .  Obviously water sports are a big attraction too and one day we drove south to an access point on the Colorado River known as Willow Beach. From there we kayaked up river toward Hoover Dam.  We felt like we had the Colorado to ourselves as we paddled between  the high canyon walls without another boat in sight.   During the first part of the day we pushed against the flow of the much subdued Colorado, calmed as it exits the dam.  Late in the afternoon we turned down river and allowed the flow to carry us back to Willow Beach.  Lots of great stuff to see and do every day so Lake Mead gets four stars.

Then it was on to Zion National Park, a jewel.  The hiking and biking are great but just looking up is all one really needs to do when you visit this wonder.  One day we hiked to a place called Angels Landing where a narrow ledge skirted by 1200 foot drops delivered us to a view spot well worth the effort.  The number of people making their way along the route was amazing and the determination of some of those folks was inspiring.  Flat landers on a mission mostly undeterred by vertigo inducing drops only inches away.  Good for them.  

Plants and Animals

The Experience

When you spend some time in sunny southern California its easy to understand why so many have chosen to live here.  Within a radius of one hundred miles are the desert, snow capped mountains,  picturesque rolling hills covered with oak and rocky outcroppings, the endless beaches, etc.  Its too much to describe.  

California also offers some of the best State Park camping we have enjoyed thus far.   Two of our campsites sat on overlooks above the Pacific and at night the rhythm of the wave sets provided the original white noise.   We even braved the water, wet-suits, ice cream headaches,  to do a little body surfing one day.    

Again it seems that no matter where we go we are fortunate to have friends and sometimes family to visit.  Jacqueline and Dennis, wow, great times, great rides along U. S. 101.  Thanks for showing us  your home grounds via road bikes and for guiding us safely through, frequently, heavy traffic without a hitch.  Another notable attraction in San Diego is the zoo which is very much worth the time.  Their effort to protect all endangered species world wide is a pretty amazing story.

We also caught up with Dominic and Michael, two of Toni's nephews one evening.  Dominic has made San Diego home for now and he, girl friend Ally and Michael all joined us for a bite to eat in ritzy La Jolla.   We fed'em burgers and micro-brew but hey, it was still La Jolla.  

For the last week we have been exploring Joshua Tree National Park, a climber's mecca of renown with its wild rock formations.    To the desert wanderers like us who are in great appreciation of Mother Nature the sights are endless.   The bike riding among the alien looking, Dr. Suess like landscape is spectacular with great highway miles to be had.   

Next week we will make our way to Parker, Az and the Colorado River where the kayaks will finally see some water time.  More then.  Happy trails to all.  

Beach Time

Captain's Blog, Star Date: 4/4/09-16:45 hours.

My Navigator/First Mate, Toni and I are exploring the California Galaxy within the solar system of San Diego near the orbit of Planet Carlsbad.   An unusual effect of the time continuum seems to have occurred  here and we find ourselves "groovin".  The 60's culture has survived the great expansion of matter in this system and it is profoundly evident among those who initiated the "peace and love" revolution.   Many of their offspring exhibit the same characteristics so we can only assume that this "righteous" way of life will endure.  Some examples we have taken note of are the surfer, the hippie, the Volkswagen Beetle and van driver and the sun worshiper.  These specimen are in generally good condition save the few who may have experienced to much "Space".   That "space" condition can be encountered in many regions we have traveled and even within our star cruiser from time to time.   More on this later.  

Palm Canyon Anza Borrego State Park

Just some picts of a beautiful day in a desert oasis.  

Desert scenes

Anza-Borrego State Park, California

The Ocotillo are blooming in Borrego Springs and many travelers are here to wander and wonder within the beauty.  Other flowering varieties like Prickly Pear and Barrel cactus,  a multitude wild flowers and perfect weather have come together to create a very enjoyable desert experience.  This part of southern California suffered through a ten year drought cycle but ample rainfall during the winter awakened the dormant and we are reaping the rewards.  Our friend and guide, Sandy, took us on a jeep tour of the valley yesterday and we saw desert scenes that varied from the most barren badlands to a stream that flows throughout the year and is lined by willows and desert flora.

Geographically speaking Borrego lies about ninety miles east of San Diego and south of Palm Springs within the western fringe of the Sonoran Desert.   It is still a sleepy little community thanks greatly to difficult access for the hordes that live along the coast.   Much of the surrounding desert has been protected either by State Park designation or by a Trust so it is a progressive area in the environmental sense.  

Let me say thanks to our old friends who live here and have welcomed us once again to their homes within this desert oasis.  Thanks Woo for allowing us to set up camp in your yard, our personal campsite.   Thanks Dave and Genie who have fed us and entertained us since our arrival, wow, friends have made this trip so memorable.  My history with the Borrego group goes back to the foggy days of yesteryear, better known as the 70's.   I won't go into that. 

From here we will make our way to the coast just north of San Diego and then head towards JH for some summer fun.  We are looking forward to seeing all of you but not until the snow melts.